Hyderabad police gear up to tackle illegal cattle trade ahead of Bakrid

Hyderabad: In view of Bakrid on 10 July, the Hyderabad city police commissioner, C.V Anand, held a meeting at city police headquarters in Basheerbagh to discuss the illegal transportation of cattle during this season.

In view of the recent confrontations between different groups at several places in the city and the bordering districts and the ban on slaughtering in other states, the police officers sensitised other government department officials about the network of cattle suppliers, transporters, receivers, and slaughterhouses to make them aware of the overall situation, repercussions on law and order, and public sentiment.

The police chiefs of the tri-commissionerate area asked the GHMC to set up more animal shelters with adequate feed and water to quickly accommodate the seized cattle.

In response to the query on animal remains during the festival, GHMC officials assured the officials that sanitisation teams will be pressed into service to clear them off the roads, ponds, and open drains. Emergency vehicles and GHMC vet teams will also be on stand-by.

Mr. Anand also issued a stern warning against self-styled groups and individuals taking the law into their hands in the name of protecting animals. "If anyone has information about illegal transport of cattle, then it should be brought to the notice of the officials," he said.

He added, "The police will set up checkpoints across the city to check the entry of cattle illegally into the city. The check-posts will be manned round the clock by a team comprising officials of the animal husbandry department, the local police, and GHMC officials."

Meanwhile, the south zone DCP made a detailed presentation on the modus operandi of various groups, including cattle suppliers, mediators, drivers, pilots, informants, and buyers involved in the cattle transporting who have links and contacts in many neighboring states of Telangana.

The animal husbandry officials said veterinary doctors will also liaise with police officers and other government departments and provide assistance round the clock at the check posts. "All our officers were briefed on the prevailing acts aimed at animal safety and other circulars," said Anjalappa, the joint director of the animal husbandry department.

Pandu Ranganayak, the joint transport commissioner, said the deployment of drivers and other required services from their department will be catered to as per the requirement.